Laauli Leuatea Schmidt and Samoan Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa Photo: RNZ Pacific / Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia
Samoan Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa has terminated Laauli Leuatea Schmidt as Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries.
Laauli, Chairman of the country's ruling FAST party, also faces several criminal charges.
A government statement said this matter arose following the formal announcement of allegations implicating the minister.
It cited an incident in 2017, in which Schmidt faced criminal charges relating to obtaining money via deception, and had to resign as minister of agriculture but remained as an MP.
In the current circumstances, Schmidt has not resigned.
The government has stated that this made his termination "inevitable."
The government said it was justifying this decision, based on recent statements it had made about being committed to upholding the rule of law and providing opportunities for individuals to seek justice.
The government is relying upon Article 33 of the Samoan Constitution, which provides for making the office of a minister vacant.
Speculation and rumour has been raging in Samoa and on social media about the case, leading to police commissioner Auapa'au Logoitino clarifying the charges against Laauli.
These include:
- Three counts of conspiracy or attempt to defeat or pervert the course of justice
- Conspiracy to commit an offence (fabricate evidence)
- Harassment utilizing means of electronic communication
- Three counts of false statement causing harm to a person's reputation
- Two counts of using insulting words with intent to provoke a breach of the peace
Laauli posted on social media after charges were laid against him that he was innocent of the accusations.